To protect one's friends and harm one's enemies, that is something that is as old as justice itself.

The Justice Department is governed by norms, but they're breaking down.

From WNYC in New York, this is on the media. I'm Brooke Gladstone.

Once there weren't prosecutorial norms, but does that mean it's okay?

George Washington actually personally orders the prosecution of certain individuals who were involved in the Whiskey Rebellion all the way back in 1792,

and then later he orders those same charges to be dropped.

Also, a journalist followed one family for three decades,

and that experience yielded a story of global immigration.

My mom recently died, and I was cleaning out her house.

I found letters that Tita had written to my mother and father when I was living with her,

you know, 30 years ago, just assuring her that I was okay and not to worry

that she was looking out for me.

It's all coming up after this.

From WNYC in New York, this is on the media.

Bob Garfield is away this week.

I'm Brooke Gladstone.

This week began with Justice Department prosecutors recommending a sentence of seven to nine years for Roger Stone.

In November of 2019, President Trump's longtime friend and former campaign advisor was convicted of lying to Congress and tampering with a witness during the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.

But on Monday night at 1.48 a.m.

Overnight came the tweet from President Trump.

This is a horrible and very unfair situation.

The real crimes were on the other side as nothing happens to them cannot allow this miscarriage of justice.

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